The Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Gold Seal Certification program establishes, administers and continuously improves national professional certification standards for construction management; certifies construction management professionals working in the industrial, commercial, institutional, and civil infrastructure sectors against these national standards; AND promotes accredited education and training for construction management professionals.
Gold Seal Certified (GSC) construction management professionals have attained the highest standard of excellence in the industry, have proven industry experience, and are held in the highest regard. Companies that employ GSC professionals are seen as leaders for their commitment to quality and excellence through education, training, and continual skill development.
CCA’s Gold Seal Certification is a nationally recognized standard of excellence for construction management professionals. Earned through industry experience, education, and examination, Gold Seal Certification:
- enhances your professional development,
- improves your job mobility, and
- markets your skills, competence, and experience.
Are you an Estimator, Foreperson, Owner’s Construction Manager, Project Manager, Safety Practitioner or Superintendent working in Canada’s industrial, commercial, institutional, and civil (ICIC) construction sectors? Get Gold Seal Certified!
The Gold Seal Certification program certifies Canadian construction management professionals.
NLCA is proud to be a gold seal preferred partner.
Applicants require a combination of industry experience, education, and training to challenge the Gold Seal exam and, if successful, to become Gold Seal Certified (GSC).
The Gold Seal application guide (New 2024) contains everything you need to know to start your journey towards Gold Seal Certification. Applicants are required to read this guide before enrolling in the Program.
New applicants must enroll in the Gold Seal Certification Program. After being approved as Gold Seal Interns, applicants have up to five years to meet the Gold Seal Certified (GSC) application requirements, submit their GSC application and, once approved, write the Gold Seal exam.
We recommend using the competency self-assessment tool to understand how we define our designations and to identify any training needs. Consult your designation’s tab in the credit self-assessment tool to understand eligibility and requirements for your GSC application.
NEW! Gold Seal Online Application Form
Gold Seal Certification Exam
The exam is offered four times a year (March, June, September and November)
Exam dates:
- June 14, 2024
- September 20, 2024
- November 22, 2024
The Gold Seal Certification exam is multiple-choice and is written at the applicants’ home or office. Since this is primarily an experience-based exam, there is no study guide. However, applicants are encouraged to review previous course material, company policies and procedures, the sample exam questions and the competency self-assessment.
Eligibility
- To be eligible to write the exam, applicants must enroll in the Gold Seal Certification Program and be approved as a Gold Seal Intern (GSI). As a GSI, they have up to five years to meet the requirements, submit their GSC application and be approved to write the Gold Seal exam.
- Only applicants with an approved GSC application will be invited to select their exam date and write the exam.
- Note that approved and conditionally approved applicants must write the Gold Seal exam within one year of the application approval date. Similarly, those who wish to rewrite the exam must do so within one year from the last attempt. Applicants who do not write within the year must restart the application process.
Exam preparation
- The exam prep webinar recording is available on our YouTube channel. After watching the webinar, writers can contact the Gold Seal team at goldseal@cca-acc.com with any questions.
- One week before the exam, the Gold Seal team will send an email confirming the date and time of the exam, as well as the login information for the exam platform.
- If writers need to reschedule their exam, they must email goldseal@cca-acc.com.
- If writers do not attend the exam on the selected date, they must book a rewrite for $125 (plus applicable taxes).
The exam
- The exam is available at noon Eastern time. If applicants require accommodation for the exam, they are welcome to speak with the Gold Seal team. The type of accommodation varies and can include, i.e., additional time.
- The exam features randomized questions and answers.
- The Estimator, Foreperson, and Safety Practitioner exams are 3 hours long, with 150 questions.
- The Owner’s Construction Manager, Project Manager, and Superintendent exams are 3.5 hours long, with 180 questions.
- The passing mark is 70% and above. Exam marks are final.
- Writers will receive their exam marks immediately upon completion.
- GSC certificates are shipped within 3-4 weeks after the exam.
- Applicants who fail the exam are welcome to book a rewrite for $125. There is no limit to the number of times applicants can rewrite the exam.
Click here to read more on the GS exam competencies tested, sample questions, tech requirements and support materials.
If you do not find answers to your Gold Seal questions on our website, please contact the Canadian Construction Association Gold Seal Program at goldseal@cca-acc.com, or 613-236-9455.
